My blog critique

As for my use of media, I could probably take more advantage of what's out there. My blog could stand to use some more images here and there instead of blocks of words and paragraphs. I know yesterday I posted a link to a video from Dirty Dancing, but I'm not sure exactly how to embed a video.

Again, when I look at my blog, it's mostly just a vast amount of text with no visual or appealing images which I could definitely use more of.

Right now I'm using a selected template design from the site, but I eventually want to figure out how to put the site into my own design or find sime outside HTML to use. Right now, the text and the colors work, but I still want to find something more creative and exciting. I would say my blog is pretty conventional. I kind of landed upon the title "rants and ramblings", but I'm considering changing it. Also, I need an About section!

Select your dream kitchen...

I have a confession to make. One of my favorite things to do when I was younger was to peer through IKEA and JCPenny catalogs and pick dream furniture for my dream home. I revisted this interest as I came across a 2006 nominee for Visual Design. IKEA lets you browse and circle through "dream kitchens". I have to say I became entranced and played around with this site for a good ten minutes. Check it out.

Creativity vs Society

The TED talks with Ken Robinson and Elizabeth Gilbert really struck a chord with me. Robinson beautifully expressed my exact frustrations with the education system today. In today's world, we're trained to not mistakes. Standardized tests are now a staple of the American education system, especially with No Child Left Behind in place. These standardized tests under the No Child Left Behind Act penalize schools for failing. The way I see it, mistakes are a necessary, if not mandatory, part of any education. Robinson brought up the concept of "genius". No one is a genius. People are experienced. They had to screw up and fail until they reached any kind of success. Schools not only discourage making mistakes, but they also downplay any classes that require creativity. And my question is...why? Subjects such as mathematics and science are extremely important, don't get me wrong. But why should subjects such as art and music be placed on the back burner? Students should be encouraged to do whatever they like to do, even if that means being a musician over an accountant. As an English major I can't help but identify with Elizabeth Gilbert. When I tell people I am an English major, I never fail to get the blank stare with preceded question, "What are you going to do with that? Do you want to be a teacher?".

I'm not sure exactly what I want to do, but I'm perfectly fine with that. I'm alright with trying my hands at a few things until I finally land upon a career where I will be able to wake up in the morning with a smile on my face.

I just started a PR internship at Lost Records label in Elkins Park, and I am enjoying my time there so far. They have a blog as well, and sometimes I write on it, so you should check it out!

Suggestions?

I'll be honest, I don't follow many blogs. And when I say I don't follow many blogs I mean I don't follow any blogs whatsoever. I've been trying to browse some blogs but I haven't found any yet that really catch my interest. I'm still looking though, so hope is not lost.

Someone brought up Lost in class the other day. (Forgive me I don't exactly remember who, I'm still in the process of matching names to faces! Sorry!) As a huge Lost fan, I would love to find a good Lost blog to read. The only site I found interesting so far is Lostpedia (http://lostpedia.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page), but I don't know if that necessarily can be considered a blog. But I really dislike spoliers or any information about future episodes, and this is only site I found so far that refrains from ruining the upcoming season for me. Although I was excited to read that Boone and Charlie will be returning. Sounds like this season will be a lot like the first season!

I'm a huge fan of television, so if anyone happens to know some good blogs about their favorite shows let me know! My other favorite shows include Scrubs, The Office, and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

Or any other blogs not related to T.V. that you like, I'm really open to anything. :)

So the videos we watched in class brought up a rather scary topic. What will our future look like with the advancement of technology? The first issue that came to my mind is that it seems like in the years to come there will be no need for human interaction. Hovering around on a Lazy boy chairs like the charaters on Wall-E could very well become a possibility. There are already systems in place today that inhibit real social encounters like Facebook and Myspace. Facebook can be a great thing .It allows you to connect with people you haven't talked to in years. It also makes it easier to organize social events. But although the whole purpose of the site is to connect with other people, there is still an impersonal feeling to it. Rather than meeting people face to face or even picking up the phone, a great deal of conversations take place today on people's Facebook walls. Not to mention that these conversations don't necessarily go one way, it's now open for your entire friends' list to read. It brings up another scary issue, will we have any sense of privacy with the onset new rising technology? One of the videos brought up the possibility of a new computer product that could track anyone's location at any time of a day. Of course these videos are all conspiracy but it really makes you think about how dependent we are on technology now and how it will truly affect us in the future.

First blog entry!

First entries are always the worst, I never know what to say. I always just want to set up my blog and get it over with! I've had a couple of blogs that I shared with my friends since high school, so I think it's kind of fun that now I'm required to do it for class. I'm a senior English major who doesn't want to graduate anytime soon. The communications studies program sounds really interesting, and I'm considering minoring in it as well. I'm not exactly sure yet what direction I want to take this blog, but I promise you it will be exciting.